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GENERAL
Origin
:
temperate,
Mediterranean
Humidity
:
semi-humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
low (1000 ppm)
Hardiness
:
-3°C
SHAPE
Type
:
annual
Height
:
0.1 m-0.4 m
Spread
:
0.25 m-0.4 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
violet, blue
Size
:
1 cm - 2 cm
Period
:
April - November
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
0.8 cm
Originating in South Africa, Lobelia is a herbaceous perennial, usually grown as an annual bed-
ding plant and widely planted across the globe for summer colour. In Arriyadh, it is popular for
winter colour displays. Plants are prostrate or scrambling up to 20 cm high. The light green lea-
ves are oval, 10 mm long and 4–8 mm broad, with a serrated margin. Depending on the variety,
flower colours are of various shades of blue, sometimes white, and borne in loose panicles; each
flower is tubular, flattening out to a broad three- to five-lobed tip. Usually best in full sun, it will
also tolerate shade in Arriyadh. Soils should be fertile and moist as well as well drained. Plants
require abundant water, but should not be waterlogged in winter. Propagation is by seeds, which
are poisonous. Generally pest-free, plants may suffer from stem and root rot. Lobelia is a well-
known garden plant, grown for its long flowering period. In Arriyadh, it will survive mild frosts
and continue flowering after its planting in late autumn until the heat of early summer, when it
will begin to burn. L. erinus is normally used as an edging plant or groundcover; there are also
trailing or cascading varieties, which are suitable for baskets, containers and the tops of walls.
Apart from weeding, it requires little maintenance after being planted out.
192
Lobelia erinus,
Campanulaceae
Bedding Lobelia